Stucco draining apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

A draining apparatus and method for use in the construction of buildings having a stucco interior. The apparatus has a drain section and a screen coupled thereto. The drain section consists of a series of channels formed by a plurality of knobs, which in one embodiment may be formed into a plurality of aligned columns. The apparatus is coupled to a building foundation, at a level where it can facilitate positive drainage of water that has migrated downward through the stucco.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority to,U.S. application Ser. No. 11/338,568, filed Jan. 24, 2006, whichapplication is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein for allpurposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to draining apparatuses and methods foruse in construction of buildings have stucco-covered exteriors and, moreparticularly, to an apparatus and method that provide positive drainagefor stucco covered walls.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Buildings in certain areas, for example in western portions of theUnited States, are provided with a cement stucco exterior. Typicalcement stucco is not waterproof and after consistent soaking, moisturewill wick its way through the stucco. In order to protect the buildingfrom this moisture, asphalt impregnated building paper or another waterresistant product is applied to the building structure beforeapplication of the stucco. This paper stops the horizontal movement ofthe migrating water but the water that has penetrated the stucco willcontinue to travel downward. If the water is prevented from draining outof the bottom of the stucco, it can generate mold and/or cause otherharm. In order to provide positive draining out of the bottom of thestucco wall, a porous, galvanized metal strip called a “weep screed” istypically positioned proximate the bottom of the stucco, typicallylocated two inches below the finished floor. This is intended to preventthe water from weeping onto the floor of the building structure, and toprovide positive drainage out of the bottom of the stucco wall and intoa freely draining material located therebelow.

A problem arises when there is a concrete sidewalk or other hardscapeimmediately adjacent to the stucco-covered building. This typicallyoccurs at building entries, where the top of the sidewalk must be at thesame elevation as the building slab. The concrete for the sidewalk istypically poured after the stucco has been applied, arid this can blockthe weep screed, rendering it useless.

Recognizing this problem, one solution has been to apply a 7″ wide bandof roll-type waterproofing material extending three and one-half inchesabove and below the top of the slab. The type of draining materialtypically used must be protected from ultraviolet light and or impactdamage to retain its effectiveness, and this is typically accomplishedwith metal flashing. In order to install this combination of drainingand flashing, wood blocking needs to be installed in locations wherethere is no sheathing.

A need exists for a draining apparatus and method that addresses thepotential interference with weep screed function described herein, in amanner that is simpler, faster and less expensive than the prior artmethod. The present invention satisfies these needs and provides other,related, advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a drainingapparatus for a stucco-covered building structure is disclosed. Theapparatus comprises, in combination: A draining apparatus for astucco-covered building structure comprising, in combination: a screen;and a drain section coupled to the screen; wherein the drain sectioncomprises a plurality of knobs; wherein the screen extends above thedrain section; and wherein the screen and the drain section comprise asubstantially water-impervious material.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, adraining apparatus for a stucco-covered building structure is disclosed.The apparatus comprises, in combination: a screen; and a drain sectioncoupled to the screen; wherein the drain section comprises a pluralityof knobs; wherein the screen extends above the drain section; whereinthe screen and the drain section comprise a substantiallywater-impervious material; wherein the screen and the drain section arecomprised of polystyrene; and wherein the drain section has a height ofapproximately six inches.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, amethod for draining a stucco-covered building structure is disclosed.The method comprises: applying a water-resistant barrier over one ofwood framing and sheathing, prior to application of stucco; positioningfoundation weep screed below the water-resistant barrier; providing adraining apparatus below the weep screed; wherein the draining apparatuscomprises, in combination: a screen; a drain section coupled to thescreen; wherein the drain section comprises a plurality of knobs;wherein the screen extends above the drain section; and wherein thescreen and the drain section comprise a substantially water-imperviousmaterial; positioning the draining apparatus so that an upper portion ofthe drain section is proximate a lower portion of the weep screed and sothat the screen extends above a foundation; and securing the drainingapparatus to the foundation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a draining apparatus consistent with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side, cross-sectional view of a draining apparatusconsistent with an embodiment of the present invention, in position in astucco-covered building structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1-2, a drainage apparatus 10 consistent with anembodiment of the present invention is shown. The apparatus 10, in thisembodiment, comprises a screen 12 secured to a drain section 14. Thedrain section 14 preferably comprises a series of knobs 16. In oneembodiment, the knobs 16 may be positioned in a series of alignedcolumns forming vertical channels therebetween. For example, as shown inFIG. 1, each column includes five knobs 16—though it should be notedthat the actual number of knobs 16 may be varied as desired.

As indicated in FIGS. 1-2, the shape of the knobs in one embodiment isthat of an inverted cone, with a flat top. While this shape ispreferred, other knob shapes may also be provided, without departingfrom the spirit or scope of the present invention. The drain section 14may be fabricated utilizing Amerdrain®, which may be purchased fromAmerican Wick Drain Corporation.

The apparatus 10 is preferably comprised of a substantially impervious,substantially non-corroding material, such as polystyrene, polyvinylchloride, or similar non-corroding material. Polystyrene provides anumber of advantages in this application, including that it would resistcorrosion and sulfate attack.

Referring now to FIG. 2, installation of the apparatus 10 is described.Initially, the construction process would be conducted as in the priorart, with a layer of plywood sheathing 20 being coupled to wood framing22, positioned on top of a plate 21 located over a foundation 23. (Line27 indicates where grade is located.) Moisture-resistant building paper24 is then applied over the plywood 20, and metal lathe 25 is positionedover the building paper 24. Stucco 26 is then applied over the buildingpaper 24 and metal lathe 25. A length of foundation weep screed 28 issecured below the building paper 24, terminating above grade 27.

The apparatus 10 is positioned so that the drain section 14 contacts thefoundation 23, and so that the upper portion of the drain section 14 andknobs 16 are positioned below the foundation weep screed 28, as shown inFIG. 2. The lower portion of the drain section 14 should extend belowgrade 27. The screen 12 extends vertically, above the foundation 23 andplate 21. The apparatus 10 may be secured to the slab 23 in any of avariety of ways, including for example with glue or with concrete nails(not shown) inserted through the drain section 14.

During the process of pouring concrete for a sidewalk 30, the screen 12provides a number of benefits. Because it extends above the level of thesidewalk 30, it can prevent concrete from splashing against the stucco26, and thereby harming its appearance. It may also be used as a writingsurface, upon which to place elevation marks for the pouring of theconcrete, for example to accommodate a ramp or the like.

After the concrete is poured for the sidewalk 30, the portion of thescreen 12 extending above the sidewalk may be cut off. This leaves theapparatus 10 below grade, where it is protected from ultravioletexposure and impact damage. It also protects the foundation weep screed28 from being rendered useless by the sidewalk 30. In position, theapparatus 10 extends positive drainage from the bottom of the stucco 26into the prepared subgrade. For example, where the foundation weepscreed 28 extends two inches below floor level and the drain section 14has a height of six inches, positive drainage would be extended by eightinches. In this position, water moving downward along the foundationweep screed 28 enters the drain section 14, insuring positive drainageinto the prepared subgrade.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in formand details may be made therein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention.

1. A draining apparatus for a stucco-covered building structurecomprising, in combination: a screen; and a drain section coupled to thescreen; wherein the drain section comprises a plurality of knobs;wherein the screen extends above the drain section; and wherein thescreen and the drain section comprise a substantially water-imperviousmaterial.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the drain section has aheight of approximately six inches.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 whereinthe screen and the drain section are comprised of polystyrene.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the knobs have an inverted cone shape, witha flattened top.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the knobs areorganized into a plurality of parallel columns defining verticalchannels therebetween.
 6. A draining apparatus for a stucco-coveredbuilding structure comprising, in combination: a screen; and a drainsection coupled to the screen; wherein the drain section comprises aplurality of knobs; wherein the screen extends above the drain section;wherein the screen and the drain section comprise a substantiallywater-imperious material; wherein the screen and the drain section arecomprised of polystyrene; and wherein the drain section has a height ofapproximately six inches.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the knobshave an inverted cone shape, with a flattened top.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 6 wherein the knobs are organized into a plurality of parallelcolumns defining vertical channels therebetween.
 9. A method fordraining a stucco-covered building structure comprising: applying awater-resistant barrier over one of wood framing and sheathing, prior toapplication of stucco; positioning foundation weep screed below thewater-resistant barrier; providing a draining apparatus below the weepscreed; wherein the draining apparatus comprises, in combination: ascreen; a drain section coupled to the screen; wherein the drain sectioncomprises a plurality of knobs; wherein the screen extends above thedrain section; and wherein the screen and the drain section comprise asubstantially water-impervious material; positioning the drainingapparatus so that an upper portion of the drain section is proximate alower portion of the weep screed and so that the screen extends above afoundation; and securing the draining apparatus to the foundation. 10.The method of claim 9, further comprising pouring concrete for asidewalk so that the concrete contacts a rear surface of the screen. 11.The method of claim 10, further comprising cutting a portion of thescreen extending above the concrete for the sidewalk.
 12. The method ofclaim 9, wherein the drain section has a height of approximately sixinches.
 13. The method of claim 9 wherein the screen and drain sectionare comprised of polystyrene.
 14. The method of claim 9 wherein theknobs have an inverted cone shape, with a flattened top.
 15. The methodof claim 9 wherein knobs are organized into a plurality of parallelcolumns defining vertical channels therebetween.